Eleanor Ruth Rice

Eleanor Ruth Rice, 93, of Wamego, Kansas passed away due to respiratory failure Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at the Wamego City Hospital, in Wamego, Kansas. Eleanor was born April 18, 1919, in Wichita, Kansas, the daughter of James C. and Lilian (Doty) Woolley. She attended schools in Wichita, graduating from Wichita State University in 1940 and later attending Ball State, in Indiana for her masters in teaching. Eleanor married Forrest Barney in 1944 in New Jersey. He preceded her in death in 1966. She later married Charles Rice in 1969. He preceded Eleanor in death in 1983. Eleanor taught school for 30 years in Columbia City and Ft. Wayne, Indiana schools before retiring. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Daughters of American Revolution, Sounds of Hope Choir and the Liberty Center United Methodist Church and church choir. Eleanor traveled all over the world singing in the Sounds of Hope Choir as a lead soprano and soloist. Eleanor is survived by her three daughters: Nancy Cripe and husband Daniel, of Wamego, KS, Kay Schoeff and husband Jim, Warsaw, IN, Janet Matson and husband Mark, North Fork CA; one step-daughter: Jacqueline Lucas, of Syracuse, IN; 8 grandchildren: Karissa, Joey, Jared, Forrest, Christopher, Molly, Karen, Amy; 3 step-grandchildren: Bob, Tom, David; 9 great-grandchildren: Jordan, Jade, Grey, Grace, Dylan, Genevieve, Courtney, Carter, Katie; and one step-great-grandchild, Hailey. She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Norton (Buddy), and a granddaughter, Katherine. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service for Eleanor will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 15, 2012 at the Goodwin Memorial Chapel, in Bluffton, Indiana. Inurnment will follow at the Blue River Community Cemetery, northeast of Columbia City, Indiana. In leiu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Liberty Center United Methodist Church and may be left in care of Stewart Funeral Home, Wamego, PO Box 48, 66547.